Murray of Aberscross

The Murrays (or Morays) of Aberscross (or Aberscors) were a minor noble Scottish family who were seated at Aberscross Castle, in the county of Sutherland, Scotland.[1][2]

History

Despite their name, this Murray family were not part of the Clan Murray in Atholl but were in fact a sept of the Clan Sutherland, whose chiefs were the Earls of Sutherland.[2][1] The Earls of Sutherland were originally a family named "de Moravia", meaning "of Moray" or "of Murray" and shared a common ancestor with the chiefs of the Clan Murray in Atholl.[3] The Murrays of Aberscross or Aberscors seem to have arrived in Sutherland in 1198.[1]

Clan conflicts

Feuds with the Mackays

As septs of the Clan Sutherland, the Murrays of Aberscross were the principal vassals of the Earls of Sutherland and were charged with the defense of the shire.[2] The Murrays of Aberscross led the Clan Sutherland in many battles during the 15th and 16th centuries, mostly against the Clan Mackay, including the Battle of Drumnacoub in 1431 where Angus Moray of Aberscross was killed.[4] Neil Murray of Aberscross led the Clan Sutherland at the Battle of Skibo and Strathfleet in 1480 against the Clan Donald.[5]

Later in the early 16th century a younger son of the Earl of Huntly, chief of Clan Gordon married an heiress of the last de Moravia Earl of Sutherland.[6] The Murrays of Aberscross then supported the new Gordon Earls of Sutherland at a number of battles including the Battle of Torran Dubh in 1517,[7] and the Battle of Alltachuilain in 1518 where John Murray of Aberscross led the clan and was victorious on both occasions.[8] Murray of Aberscross was then offered women in marriage for his loyalty by the new Gordon Earls of Sutherland but he declined the offer.[1] Retaliation and vengeance against the Sutherlands was mainly suffered by the Murrays whose lands in Rogart and Dornoch were often laid waste.[2] In 1542 Hutcheon Murray of Aberscross led the Clan Sutherland at the Battle of Alltan-Beath against the Clan Mackay where the Mackays were defeated.[9]

According to historian Sir Robert Gordon, John Gordon, 11th Earl of Sutherland was the first Earl of Sutherland to personally venture into the country of the Mackays, in 1555 for the siege of Borve Castle.[10]

Feuds with the Earl of Caithness

In 1570 a feud arose between the Gordon Earl of Sutherland and the Earl of Caithness, chief of Clan Sinclair.[11] Caithness was supported by his father-in-law the Sutherland Laird of Duffus,[11] (a descendant of the old de Moravia Earls of Sutherland). Caithness made Duffus's brother, William Sutherland of Evelick, attack the Murrays of Aberscors (Aberscross) in vengeance, taking prisoner John Croy-Murray.[11] Hugh Murray of Aberscors then assembled his friends and made incursions upon the lands of Evelick as well as laying waste to several villages belonging to the Laird of Duffus and taking hostage a Sutherland gentlemen to secure the safety of John Croy-Murray.[11] The Sutherland Laird of Duffus then gathered all of his kinsmen at Skibo Castle and proceeded to the town of Dornoch with the intention of burning it.[11] However the Murrays went out and met them in battle, overthrowing them and pursuing them back to the gates of Skibo.[11] Prisoners were then exchanged for John Croy-Murray.[11] This was known as the skirmish of Torran-Roy.[11]

On hearing of the news of the skirmish of Torran-Roy, the Earl of Caithness sent the Master of Caithness who, along with the Mackays, besieged the Murrays in Dornoch Castle and the church.[11] The Murrays held out for a week before surrendering after which the several Murrays of Aberscors were beheaded.[11] George Sinclair, 4th Earl of Caithness later imprisoned his son, the Master of Caithnes, for making peace with the Morays.[12]

In 1590 John Morray of Aberscross was killed leading the Clan Sutherland against the Earl of Caithness at the Battle of Clynetradwell.[13]

Aberscross castle

Aberscross Hill where Aberscross (Aberscors) Castle, seat of the Murray family once stood

Today nothing remains of the family's castle at Aberscross which fell into ruin in the 17th-century.[2][1] Aberscross Castle was held by the de Moravia (Murray) family from when they first moved to Sutherland at the end of the twelfth century.[14]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Aberscors Castle stravaiging.com. Retrieved 23 June, 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Early History of the Clan Murray (Clann Mhoraidh) in New Scotland (Nova Scotia) chebucto.ns.ca Retrieved 23 June, 2013
  3. ↑ Sutherland, Malcolm. "A Fighting Clan, Sutherland Officers: 1250 – 1850". Page 3. Avon Books. ISBN 1-897960-47-6.
  4. ↑ Mackay, Robert. pp. 66 -67. Quoting: Gordon, Sir Robert. pp. 65 - 66.
  5. ↑ Browne, James (1849), A History of the Highlands and of the Highland Clans vol I, Edinburgh: A. Fullarton, pp. 170–1.
  6. ↑ Gordon. pp. 83 - 84.
  7. ↑ Gordon. pp. 91 - 97.
  8. ↑ Gordon. pp. 95 - 97
  9. ↑ Foulis Press, 1764, "The History of the Feuds and Conflicts Among the Clans in the Northern Parts of Scotland and in the Western Isles: from the year M.XX1 unto M.B.C.XIX, now first published from a manuscript wrote in the reign of King James VI." The only changes made is the modernising of the orthography to 1890 standards:-- . electricscotland.com. Retrieved on June 23, 2013.
  10. ↑ Gordon. pp.134–135.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 11.9 Maclauchlan, Thomas, 1816-1886; Wilson, John, 1785-1854; Keltie, John Scott, Sir, 1840-1927. Pages 197 - 198.
  12. ↑ Way, George and Squire, Romily. (1994). Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). pp. 322 - 323.
  13. ↑ Gordon. pp. 202 - 203.
  14. ↑ Coventry, Martin. (2008). Castles of the Clans: The Strongholds and Seats of 750 Scottish Families and Clans. pp. 446. ISBN 978-1-899874-36-1.

Bibliography